The 71-year-old lawyer, who was near the very end of a line that stretched around Park Avenue South and up four flights of the bookstore’s stairs, said she remembers a time when female lawyers faced significant workplace discrimination and weren’t allowed to become partners.

“There was a lot of sexism then,” she said.

Ms. Curtis, who graduated from Stanford Law School in 1971, said she comes from the same generation of female lawyers as Mrs. Clinton. It gave special meaning to the idea that a woman might become president during her lifetime.

“It’s really important for us to have a female president,” said Ms. Curtis, who said she spent much of her legal career working on equal rights in the workplace.

A vendor sells Hillary Clinton t-shirts outside the Barnes and Noble.

Keith Bedford for The Wall Street Journal

Mrs. Clinton will tour the nation promoting her book, “Hard Choices.” Political observers also said she could use the trip as a way to draw attention to her presidential ambitions.

On Tuesday, the first person in line arrived before midnight. The event began at 11 a.m.

Alfred Ojeranti, a 64-year- old Nigerian immigrant, said he came at 10 p.m. the night before and secured the ninth place in line. “It was worth it because she’s a great lady and she’s going to be the next president,” said Mr. Ojeranti.

Mr. Ojeranti, who lives in New York and works as a consultant to the Nigerian government, believes the U.S. needs a tough foreign policy.

The line to see Hillary Clinton.

Keith Bedford for The Wall Street Journal

“America is the leader of the civilized world,” said Mr. Ojeranti. “There are other countries causing problems that must be curtailed. You have to be aggressive and I support her [doing that.]”

Tiffany Hamilton, who showed up around 4 a.m., also said the wait was worth it just to see Mrs. Clinton interact with the crowd. Mrs. Clinton played with several children, one of whom gave her a bracelet, said Ms. Hamilton.

“I told her that I had just come back from Jamaica, where they have a female Prime Minister,” said Ms. Hamilton, a 35-year old lawyer.

“She told off the top of her head that 49 countries have female leaders and I said I hope we have one soon too,” she said